“Chet – The Beautiful Music and Tragic Life of Singing Trumpeter Chet Baker.”
Pianist, singer, and composer Larry McDonough’s trademarks are unique harmonies and rhythms in both arrangements and compositions, often in the uncommon meters of 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13. He usually features the other musicians, with only a handful of vocals in his recordings and performances. For years, his quiet singing style has been compared to legendary singer and trumpeter Chet Baker.
Chet My Favorite SongsNow Larry turns the tables on himself, putting his vocals in the spotlight in “Chet – The Beautiful, Tragic Music of Singer and Trumpeter Chet Baker.” Joining Larry to complete the Chet Baker sound is Steve Kinney on trumpet, saxman Richard Terrill, bassist Greg Stinson, drummer Dean White, and Larry’s daughter Rosie on African drum....
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“Chet – The Beautiful Music and Tragic Life of Singing Trumpeter Chet Baker.”
Pianist, singer, and composer Larry McDonough’s trademarks are unique harmonies and rhythms in both arrangements and compositions, often in the uncommon meters of 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13. He usually features the other musicians, with only a handful of vocals in his recordings and performances. For years, his quiet singing style has been compared to legendary singer and trumpeter Chet Baker.
Chet My Favorite SongsNow Larry turns the tables on himself, putting his vocals in the spotlight in “Chet – The Beautiful, Tragic Music of Singer and Trumpeter Chet Baker.” Joining Larry to complete the Chet Baker sound is Steve Kinney on trumpet, saxman Richard Terrill, bassist Greg Stinson, drummer Dean White, and Larry’s daughter Rosie on African drum.
“Chet” will cover the range of the Chet Baker catalog, performing pieces from the 1950s, including My Funny Valentine, Autumn Leaves, When I Fall in Love, You Don’t Know What Love Is, There Will Never Be Another You, and Angel Eyes, as well as songs from the end of Chet’s life, such as All Blues (the rare vocal version), Softly as in a Morning Sunrise, and Moon and Sand. In the second set, Larry will add pieces from his catalog sung in Chet’s style, including My Romance, How Insensitive, Night and Day (from his “Solitude, poetry in jazz” CD), Lady Day (an original from his “Simple Gifts” CD), and Summertime in 7/4 time.
Chesney Henry “Chet” Baker, Jr., was born on December 23, 1929, and by the mid-1950s he was a popular singer and trumpeter. His hip, cool style of singing and playing jazz standards made him a peaceful alternative to the hectic quality of bebop. Even a movie career awaited, based in part on his leading-man good looks and bad-boy persona. But there was a detour ahead when his drug addiction dominated the 1960s, leading to incarcerations, deportations, and ultimately a drug deal beating that broke his teeth and scarred his movie star looks. With dentures and a new embouchure for playing trumpet—but without the face and voice that had made him a star—he resurfaced in the 1970s and 1980s, again producing recordings at the pace he did in the 1950s. At approximately 3:00 a.m. on May 13, 1988, he was found dead in Amsterdam on the street below his second-story room with serious wounds to his head. The death was ruled an accident, but speculation continues.
Featuring:
Larry McDonough – Piano, Vocals
Steve Kenny – Trumpet
Richard Terrill – Saxophone, Poetry
Greg Stinson – Bass
Dean White – Drums
Guest Rosie McDonough – African Drum
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